“Dr. DilipBhanushali, the new IMA president, criticized the mixing of alternative medicine with modern medicine, citing concerns about quackery and potential misuse of harmful treatments by untrained practitioners.”

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) opposed the mixing of alternative medicine systems with modern medicine, as stated by Dr. DilipBhanushali, the newly appointed president, during the installation ceremony of the medical body's new office bearers in Dehradun.

Dr. Bhanushali referred to mixopathy as a significant issue, noting that around 80% of alternative medicine practitioners continued to prescribe modern medicines despite a Supreme Court directive prohibiting such practices. While the IMA did not oppose systems like Ayurveda, homeopathy, or Unani individually, it criticized their combination with modern medicine, citing ineffective and potentially harmful outcomes.

The promotion of mixopathy, he warned, encouraged quackery, with inadequately trained practitioners prescribing harmful treatments such as high-dose steroids and antibiotics, often without patients being informed of the associated risks.

He also highlighted modern surgeons extensive training, spanning eight to ten years, and questioned how short-term programs could adequately prepare alternative medicine practitioners to perform complex procedures. He argued that allowing practitioners of Ayurveda, homeopathy, or Unani to perform surgical duties after minimal training raised serious concerns about patient safety and quality of care.

(Source:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/not-against-alternative-meds-but-mixopathy-menace-ima/articleshowprint/117364829.cms)